Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Looking up at his mother, Motoichi had the same glare and rage in his eyes. "So what do we do now mother?"

  Turning and walking away from the palace more as he walked at her side she kept a glare. "We are going to see some friends of mine. They will help to train you. And once you are strong enough we will come back. Kill your father, Hiro and whomever else stands in our way."

  "Including Soichiro."

  Shaking her head no with gleaming eyes, Yori smiled a wicked smile. She had plans for that one. Chirio didn't make him heir to try and safe him from his brother. And Chirio always refused to give him no more of a title than servant being a second born he was nothing but. Yes she was going to do exactly that. He would be her personal servant and deal with anything she wanted to put him through. "No. Not him. I have plans for that one."

  "Mother?"

  "Just trust me son. I know what I am doing."

  X

  Once the door was slammed behind Yori and Motoichi, Hiro turned to his lord as he rubbed the back of his neck. "My Lord I am flattered that you would see me fit enough to name me heir. But would not Lord Soichiro be a better heir than I would?"

  Leaning against the wall Chirio sighed as he dropped his head and crossed his arms. "He would. He is after all my son. However I do not trust that woman or Motoichi. The only good thing that came out of mating her was Soichiro and I won't risk him." Standing straight again he smiled as he pulled startled eyes to him as he laid his hand on Hiro's shoulder. "Your father is a good man and you are growing into one as well. I am content that my blood will never be Lord of the North again. I can rest easy knowing that I am leaving the North in good hands with you Hiro."

  Taking a deep breath as he stood tall Hiro smiled as he gave a nod. "I will always try and make you proud of everything I do My Lord."

  "I am sure you will Hiro." With a half-smile, Chirio then headed for the door. "Right now I need to go and tell Soichiro what is going on. He has been worried since we left for home."

  Watching as the door closed, Hiro sighed as he turned with a smile up to look at the many small paintings that lined the study. Each one of them a portrait of the son of the last with his mate and son. For so many generations it has been one blood line.

  Landing on the portrait of Chirio with both Motoichi and Soichiro he smiled as he crossed his arms. "I can't. I won't let that end. Lord Chirio has been good to me, Father and our family. I will do as requires of me as heir, and if he steps down I will take the title. However when Lord Soichiro is old enough, and ready. I will gladly step down and give the title Lord of the North to him. He of anyone deserves it after his father after all."

  X

  Pacing in his room, Soichiro could feel the rise of powers from his family and could barely hear the sound of his father's voice yelling. His father was so angry on the way home. And the closer they got the angrier he got also. He didn't understand what was going but he did desperately want to know. Especially if it was something he did.

  "Soichiro."

  Turing to the door to see his father standing there, Soichiro let tears stream out of his eyes as he raced across the room to grab his legs. "Father what is going on?"

  Lifting his son, Chirio walked through his room and jumped out of his window to land in the garden and started to slowly walk around. "My son there is a big change right now. Everything that I am going to tell you that I did, I did so that I can make sure that you are kept safe. So you can one day have a family of your own one day."

  "Father…"

  Stopping under a cherry blossom tree, Chirio sat his son down and dropped down to his knees as he looked his son in the eyes. "Your mother and brother are not here anymore. I know it is going to be a lot to handle at first but I know you can do it. I have faith in you my son."

  His eyes going wide Soichiro was confused now. Why weren't they there anymore? "Why not? Why aren't they here anymore?"

  Not going to lie to his son, even though he was so young, Chirio let out a sigh as he closed his eyes. "Your mother tried to make Tikae and his men kill you when they saw us coming home. She I am afraid would like nothing more than to be rid of us both. And the other Lords and their families as well."

  Grabbing onto his father's chest, Soichiro had wide fearful eyes as he looked at him. Desperation clear in his grip. "But father you are the smartest one I know. You can do something to stop that can't you? Won't you? Please say you will."

  Resting a hand on his son's head Chirio nodded. "I did in the South. I took care of it. For the most part."

  Relaxing then shaking again with another gasp, Soichiro once again looked up into his father's eyes. Swallowing hard, Soichiro blinked. "So since Motoichi is not here anymore does that mean that I am the heir to the North now?"

  Taking his son in his arms as he stood up, Chirio shook his head side to side. "I am sorry Soichiro. I want to make you my new heir. I know you would be perfect for it. But I also know how underhanded your mother is and your brother will be. I will not risk your life at all. You are the best thing that has ever been in my life. I named Hiro my heir. And I know with him, if something should happen to me he will make sure that you are always safe and protected."

  Relaxing as he hugged his father's neck, Soichiro smiled. "That is good father. I would be too nervous of messing up if I was to be next in line for Lord. Hiro will do a much better job than me."

  Smiling as he hugged his son, Chirio let out a relaxed sigh. 'My son. You would have been just as good as Hiro will be. So wise beyond your hears with a strong sense of justice. I do so hope that nothing happens and I can see you grow with a family. I doubt it with your mother, but I will do my best son. I promise you that.' "Do not doubt yourself my son. You would have made a perfect Lord for the North."

  Chirio then spent the rest of the day walking around the gardens and talking with Soichiro, even showing him some training moves that he asked him to do. For the first time in a long time, though he knew they were a threat, Motoichi and Yori were not there to ruin this moment with his on. And he would savor it.

  X

  Stopping in a cave for the night Yori paced before a fire as she plotted out how Chirio would die for what he has done to them today. 'That fool. He will not live long enough to regret what he has done to me and my son today!'

  "Mother."

  "Yes my son?" Turning to see an evil smile on her sons face she blinked. "What is that smile for?"

  "We are going to the dragons. Kenji and Shinra right?"

  "That's right."

  Standing with a smile Motoichi crossed his arms. "Well, how about we play them. We only want to get me strong enough to kill my father and brother. Once that is done we will help him take over the lands. Then when it is only me and him, I will kill him and all our enemies will be done with."

  Thinking for a moment Yori nodded her approval. "However. I told you that we aren't going to kill your brother. Well at least not for a while. I have a plan for that one. Just to spite your father in the afterlife."

  "What is that Mother?"

  Turning to look out of the cave at the moon as it started to raise high. "Your brother will be forced to bow before you. He will serve you like no more than a servant. He will not even be allowed to call your brother. That is what your father does not want for him. So that is exactly what we are going to do to him."

  Motoichi smiled as he nodded. "That is a very good idea mother. Turn him into the slave he was meant to be for being so weak. Had he been stronger and more like us, he would have been my right hand man. But no he had to be weak in body and mind like father."

  Sitting down with a smile. "We know what we must do my son. Soon. Very soon your father will fall, so will Hiro and you will be Lord of the North. And as soon as that pact is done with, we will move on the South first."

  Making of a Lord Chapter 27

  With his hands folded quietly in his lap, Kiyoshi watched with wide eyes as his father paced up and down the hall just outside the birthing room. Shone sitt
ing next to him doing the same thing he was. Neither understood what the problem was. "Father, why are you pacing like that?"

  Letting out an annoyed sigh, Kurosai kept his pacing. Just when he and Sorae were ready to admit that she was just like her mother and just wasn't going to be able to have anymore pups, she ended up pregnant. And now for a second time he paced the halls. Worried about his mate and unborn pup. Giving his son a glance he shook his head. "You will understand one day when you are in my place Kiyoshi. When that day comes you will understand fully why I can't stand or sit still."

  Flinching as he froze when there was another groan of pain from behind the door, Kurosai growled at his two best friends and then started to pace again. "What is taking so long this time? By now Kiyoshi was born already." Stopping to look outside he sighed. "The sun is at its midday mark and she has been in there all night and day!"

  Laughing as he stood beside Umarus in front of the door, Koraen crossed his arms as he shook his head. "You know each time is different. She will be just fine this time just like she was when Kiyoshi was born.""

  Glaring with a low growl, Kurosai's iced blue eyes met Koraen's dark blue ones as he stopped for a moment and crossed his arms. "I know that Koraen. Tell me now, if it was Kintare having another pup would you or would you not be doing the same exact thing that I am?"

  Laughing again, Koraen winked at his friend. "I never said that I wouldn't be. I would be pacing and worried too. But come on Kurosai what do you want me to say?"

  Sighing as he started his pacing again Kurosai ran his hands through his hair. "I get it alright!"

  X

  Groaning out another contraction, Sorae was fighting hard not to push till it was time. Once it was done she went limp on the bed as she was breathing hard with her eyes closed. Her hand holding onto Kintare's. A silent prayer to her mother as a couple tears streamed out her face. 'Mama. Please let me have a little girl. Please. I just know that if I don't this time I will never get to have a little girl.'

  With a smile, Kintare reached out with a damp cloth and wiped the tears and the sweat from Sorae's face. "Relax. I told you that you have to be having a girl. You will see. Just settle down."

  "I can't help it." Smiling up at her friend, Sorae took a few deep breaths. "Between Kurosai's worry and my own over the length of time I have been in labor. I can't help but worry. Kiyoshi didn't take this long."

  Giggling as the midwife moved to check on her progress, Kintare looked into Sorae's eyes. "I have seen some female's from my old den deliver moments after going into labor. My cousin when she had her first pup did that. A year later when she had another one, she was in labor for three days but everything was fine. You will see."

  With a smile the midwife stood and looked down at her lady with a nod. "My Lady it is time to push. Let's see what this pup will look like shall we?"

  Nodding as she gripped Kintare's hand tighter, Sorae waited for the next contraction. "I am so ready."

  "You can do this Sorae."

  Nodding as the next contraction came she bore down and pushed with all she had. Nothing. A second time. Nothing again. The third and fourth times. Nothing. Finally, and ready to be done to see if she had a little girl, Sorae took a deep breath and bore down with all she had for as long as she could. Just like with Kiyoshi just as she was about to relax to try again, she felt that instant relief as her pup slid from her body and the pain was gone.

  Breathing hard as she fell back on the bed as Kintare hugged her, she let tears stream down her face to hear her infant crying a healthy cry. "What did I have this time? Oh please tell me I have a daughter."

  A bright smile on her face, the midwife turned and went to her Lady's side. Kneeling down she handed her the tiny bundle. "Indeed you have My Lady. Your daughter."

  Wide eyed as even more tears gushed from her eyes as she sat up and looked down at her little girl. She finally had a daughter! Twenty five years of trying and she finally had a daughter! And she was just perfect. She had her jet black hair and her markings were a deep amber color. Just like who she was named after, but with black hair. "My little girl."

  "Oh Sorae she is absolutely adorable!" Reaching out and tapping her claw gently on the baby's chin Kintare and Sorae giggled as she smiled and laughed then let her eyes land on her mother. "What is her name?"

  "Her name is Yukani. Mama and I talked about it before Kiyoshi was born. If he had been a girl that was going to be her name after my grandmother. And it is perfect for her too seeing as Mama told me that she looked exactly like my Yukani does."

  Bending down and reaching out for the pup, the midwife smiled at her. "My Lady. I shall present Lady Yukani to her father."

  "Yes thank you." Once she lifted her daughter, she hugged Kintare back as she hugged her. A smile on her face as she watched the midwife walk across the room. 'We did it. Kurosai. Mama. We got our little girl. Our Yukani.'

  X

  "My Lady it is time to push. Let's see what this pup will look like shall we?"

  Freezing along with everyone else, Kurosai had his wide eyes glued to the door behind Koraen and Umarus. The groans of pain, then the sound of a healthy wail of a pup rang out from behind the door. Slumping against the wall he sighed as he smiled. It was finally over. Sorae was still going strong and now they had another pup. He hoped with all he had that it was a little girl for her this time. The trouble she had getting pregnant this time, he doubted she would ever have another.

  Hearing the soft steps of the midwife he rushed to stand before the door as Koraen and Umarus side stepped. When the door opened he looked through to Sorae and and Kintare as she was cleaned and settled, then his eyes darted down to the baby in the midwife's arms. "What did we have this time?"

  Carefully handing her lord his daughter, the midwife smiled brightly. "My Lord I would like to present to you. Lady Yukani."

  Taking his daughter, Kurosai had wide eyes as he looked down at her. She was most perfect little girl that he had ever laid eyes on. Though she looked nothing like his family. "My princess."

  Feeling the tugging on his hakamas, Kurosai turned his smile down to his son. Once he hit ten years old, he did a total turn around. He was showing maturity and skill far beyond his years. Dropping down to his haunches he let his son look down at her. "Well Kiyoshi you have a baby sister now. Yukani."

  His eyes going wide as he looked at the tiny little face that looked right back at him, he was amazed at how little she is. "My sister."

  "That's right son." Kurosai then scooped him up in one arm and went to his mate as Kintare left the room with a smile for him. Once he reached the bed he put Kiyoshi down on it then handed Yukani down to her mother as he smiled then sat down next to her. "Well we did it."

  Nodding as she cradled her daughter in her arms Sorae gushed her happy tears. "We did. We have our handsome boy and now our beautiful girl. Kiyoshi and Yukani. Now if I never have anymore I am content."

  "That's good." Kissing her forehead Kurosai smiled. "I promised you didn't I?" Then he looked down at his daughter as her brother looked at her amazed. "Though I am not sure where those eyes and markings come from."

  With a giggle Sorae kept her eyes on her daughter. "Mama said that her Mama had the same deep and rich amber colored markings and eyes like she has. So not only is she named after her great grandmother, but looks just like her too."

  Not really paying attention to his parents as they talked, Kiyoshi never took his eyes off of his sister. The only thing showing just how young he was still, was the curious wonder that shinned in his eyes to see a pup so small as she was right now. "Mother."

  "Yes son?"

  "Why is she so small?"

  With a laugh, Sorae handed Yukani off to Kurosai as she reached out and pulled her son into her arms and hugged him. "Because she is just a tiny new born baby right now. She will grow. But you know what. You reminded me of Sanzo just now."

  Looking up at his mother with a next to mortified look, Kiyoshi let his head fall to the si
de as he blinked his eyes. "Wait really? I reminded you of that hyper and annoying bird just now? I don't understand how that is."

  With a nod Sorae laughed as she pushed in on his nose. "You did. You see he asked the same exact question that you just did about you and Ayame when you were just a few weeks old." Then a glance at her daughter and she turned a warm smile back to her son. "But don't worry honey. She will grow in no time and be big enough for you play with."

  In one of the rare moments he let slip, Kiyoshi once again showed just how young he really was again. "But wait." His eyes actually looking like he was scared as he looked up at his father. "What if she wants to play the girly games? Will I have to do that? By the time she is my age I will be half grown and…"